Why is Leclerc always the tank that analysts want to decode?

The combination of high speed, smart armor and digital combat system makes the Leclerc tank a battlefield mystery that many experts are particularly interested in.

According to RIA, the Leclerc main battle tank, also known as the AMX-56 Leclerc, was developed by GIAT in the 1980s and is now owned by Nexter. Production began in 1990 and in 1992, the Leclerc was officially commissioned into the French army.

Weighing approximately 60 tons, the Leclerc is significantly lighter than many third-generation Western tanks, providing advantages in mobility, fuel consumption and deployment. In addition, the vehicle uses a hybrid armor structure that combines composite armor, conventional armor and explosive reactive armor modules, increasing its effectiveness against kinetic energy-piercing bullets and ensuring survivability against a variety of threats on the battlefield.

The Leclerc is considered one of the most mysterious tanks in Europe thanks to its outstanding speed, sophisticated armor and digital capabilities. Photo: RIA

The Leclerc is 9.87m long, 3.71m wide, 2.92m high and has a combat weight of about 54.6 tons. The crew consists of three people: commander, gunner and driver. The vehicle's power comes from a 1,500-horsepower V8X SACM diesel engine, allowing the Leclerc to reach speeds of up to 71 km per hour on the road and about 55 km per hour when moving in combat conditions, with a range of over 550km.

The Leclerc turret is equipped with a 120mm Modele F1 smoothbore gun, a 7.62 x 51mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7 x 99mm anti-aircraft machine gun. The most prominent feature is the automatic loading system that holds 22 rounds in the magazine, helping to increase the rate of fire, reduce the crew's workload, and increase safety during combat.

With its unique design and timeless technology, the Leclerc has become a rare tank model that military experts are constantly trying to decode. Photo: RIA

The Leclerc tank has many variants developed in each stage of modernization. The three main production batches include Series 1 with the basic configuration, Series 2 with strong upgrades in electronics and observation systems and Series 3, the most complete in the French army's equipment with auxiliary armor and better urban combat capabilities.

In addition, France developed the Leclerc AZUR package for urban battlefields with additional armor, grenade launcher nets and remote-controlled gun turrets, increasing survivability at close range. The Leclerc XLR version of the Scorpion program is a deep modernization step, equipped with a digital battle management system, multi-layer networking and improved armor, making the Leclerc a 3+ generation tank.

From its superior speed to its advanced autoloading system, the Leclerc packs a punch. Photo: RIA

In addition, the Leclerc also has a Tropicalisé variant dedicated to the UAE with an optimized cooling and dust protection system for operation in desert environments, proven effective in Yemen. Specialized versions such as battlefield recovery vehicles and engineering vehicles complete the full ecosystem to support armored forces in combat.

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Source: https://congthuong.vn/vi-sao-leclerc-luon-la-chiec-xe-tang-ma-gioi-phan-tich-muon-giai-ma-432990.html